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SciTechTalk: Apple WWDC summary
by Jim Algar
Washington DC (UPI) Jun 17, 2012


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Now that the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference has folded its tent and sent the Apple faithful home to consider the wonders that lie ahead, it's probably a good time to see just what Apple has offered -- and what, significantly, it did not.

First things first: No iPhone 5 -- not that anyone expected it. Apple is obviously saving the next generation of its smartphone for a show of its own where it will be the star, introduced to the world when Apple is good and ready -- and Apple being Apple, not a minute before.

So what did the WWDC offer this year? Let us tick the boxes.

iOS 6

When Apple giveth, Apple taketh away. In this case, say hello to Facebook and goodbye the Google Maps.

Facebook will be a part of iOS 6, with Apple integrating sharing of photos and Web pages from within its own apps, as well as through Siri. And iOS 6 users will be able to sync contacts and calendars from the social network.

After a long association with Google Maps, Apple has decided it can do location better -- or at least the way it wants to. When iOS debuts in the fall, expect a 3D mapping program Apple says will include its own "crowd-sourced traffic database" -- information it used to get from Google.

The 3D capability is courtesy of Apple's acquisition of Sweden's C3 Technologies last year.

The Siri voice assistant program will get expanded language and nation support, and will run on the new iPad.

Not-so-good iOS news? Users of the original iPad and the third-generation iPod Touch will find that iOS has left them behind, as the new version drops support for those devices.

MacBooks

Apple's Retina display, already impressing eyeballs on the iPhone 4 and the new iPad, is coming to Apple's laptop line -- but only on the top-of-the line MacBook Pro, bumping screen resolution to 2,880-by-1,800.

Apple remained mum on the possibility of a 13-inch Retina display running at 2,560-by-1,600 that could end up on the 13-inch Pro and Air laptops.

Oh, and the biggest MacBook Pro? Say goodbye to the 17-inch version; Apple confirmed it is stopping production as the large laptop was not a sales success.

OS X Apple showed off the latest version of the Mac OS X operating system, dubbed Mountain Lion, which showed heavy influences from iOS 6 like a new notification center that displays messages, alerts and updates from applications.

Also mirroring iOS 6, Mountain Lion brings Facebook and Twitter sharing to the desktop.

Apple said Mountain Lion would go on sale in July for $19.99

Desktop computers

User of Apple's Mac Pro desktop computers found little of interest at the WWDC other than a processor speed bump from 2.8 GHz to 3.2 GHz.

However, Apple has since confirmed the Mac Pro line will get a significant upgrade in 2013 although it remained mum on any plans for the iMac.

So that's it -- for now. The Apple rumor mill will temporarily go into rest-and-refresh mode but is certain to crank up sooner rather than later as the expected fall debut of the next iPhone approaches.

About which Apple will say they usual. Nothing.

.


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